Sunday, February 16, 2020

A Very Snowy February!


We have had a busy week shoveling snow! This February we have had snowfall on and off for a total of over 36 inches (91.44 cm) in our part of the Denver suburbs, which is located nestled up to the Rocky Mountain foothills.  The months of December and January had been unusually warm and snow-free so the month of February seems to be determined to make up for that!



Fortunately, we invested in a powerful gas-powered snowplow the second year we moved to Colorado. It has saved my husband's back and his heart from the stress of clearing so much snow from our driveway this February.  Our house is north facing, which makes a big difference in Colorado, as north-facing houses accumulate more snow and it melts slower than south-facing homes. Why?  The sun shines here over 300 days of the year and it is very dry here as we are at a higher elevation. The sun warms the ground and cement in front of south-facing houses, even in winter, so the snow melts fast and does not accumulate as quickly. We had no idea about this phenomenon when we moved here from New York, as the direction of one's house did not make much of a difference there. 


Another unusual aspect of our weather this February is that the air temperature has remained cold!  Usually, after a snowy day, our temperatures rise above freezing and the snow melts fairly quickly.  This year we have stayed below freezing most of the day and large icicles are hanging from many houses. 



It has even snowed while the sun was shining!
 How unusual is that?


I know not many people love snow, but I do!  I would miss the four seasons if I did not live in an area that had them. I loved playing in the snow when I was a child and although clearing snow and ice can be hard work, watching the falling snow is so peaceful and seeing the winter landscape as it gets covered with a sparkling blanket of white is so beautiful.  We are fortunate in our neighborhood as we have miles of trails and open space, so many residents can enjoy snowshoeing or cross country skiing right in their "backyards."



My grandchildren love the snow as much as I did as a child and they have had fun sledding and building snowmen.


Even our local wildlife seem to enjoy the snow!

Some local views as we drive around our area.
The snow makes everything look like a winter wonderland.

More snow is expected here tomorrow--what will your weather be?

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 Mosaic Monday, All SeasonsBlue Monday, Through My Lens MondayLittle Cottage Link Party
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48 comments:

riitta k said...

OMG - so much snow! The scenery is usually the same here in January-February, but this winter no trace of snow in the Helsinki region. Beautiful photos & collages <3

Shiju Sugunan said...

What a celebration of the season! Your pictures are most awesome! I especially loved the icicles, the animals and the snowman.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

36 inches of snow, Wow. The icicles look pretty in the sunshine. That is a lot of shoveling. It is beautiful to see, the views are just fabulous. I love the cute deer, bunny and the snowman. You do see some awesome wildlife there. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week ahead!

italiafinlandia said...

Hello,
nice see the winter scenes with a lot of snow! Here in south Finland we had so little this winter. Love the critters and the funny snowman.
Enjoy it!

Tom said...

...snowy and beautiful.

Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening said...

Oh my goodness! Your winter views are gorgeous! We have had so little snow this winter and a good snow storm is always so beautiful. Your photos look like a winter wonderland!

Judy said...

You make winter look lovely! I was actually in Colorado...just as the cold front rolled in. As it happened, we missed our connecting flight and spent longer in Colorado than we had planned on!

Ruth Hiebert said...

i totally agree, that watching the snow coming down gives a sense of peace. We have not had unusual amounts of snow, but at least the fields are mostly covered in white. We get forecasts for snow, but very little seems to be falling now, but we often get hit harder in March.

Lydia C. Lee said...

Wow! These are great! Love the rabbit shots and that openning vista.

Joanne said...

I do love that peacefulness of the snowfall and how pretty it looks the next day when the sun comes out and everything sparkles. But I really don't like how cold it is when it snows! LOL.

stevebethere said...

What fab photos all that snow great shots, we have had none so far in London this winter ;-)

Have a frostytastic week Pat :-)

Sandi Magle said...

Such gorgeous photos, I really loved your variety of wildlife! That area is so gorgeous, I can't wait to someday visit in winter again. I took a walk in Eldorado Canyon last time i was there during a February snow and it was gorgeous!
Thanks so much for sharing your world!

Powell River Books said...

We don't get snow like that at home, but it is rainy and cold. That's why we are playing at being snowbirds in Arizona this year. - Margy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I showed your first photo to my husband. We've been hearing about your weather on the weather channel and your pic looks like a winter wonderland! I didn't know that about the direction your home faces. Always something to learn when you move somewhere so different. Have a good week my friend! Hope that sun shines bright!

Jeanna said...

Well that was a great investment, wasn't it! I believe we are beginning to catch up to you, has been snowing all day trying to make up for the mildish and relatively snow free winter we've had to the east of you.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

It's gorgeous your way! I love the way the world looks in snow. Snowing while the sun's out is weird. I wonder if there may have been a rainbow like the way it is when it rains. I'm knocking on wood that rain will soon fall in our part of California. It has been a couple of months. I'll even take snow on the nearby mountains.

Sandra Nachlinger said...

Beautiful snowy photos of a beautiful place. When it snows in the Pacific Northwest, I don't drive. But a walk in the snow is a peaceful joy.

Lady Fi said...

Lucky you! I love snow.

Angie said...

Pat - you know I love snow, so your pictures are truly magical in my eyes. So glad you have the tools necessary to clear the snow without causing a heart attack for anyone! Is that a bobcat that I see in one of your photos?

We were skiing today, and sometimes it was snowing while the sun was shining brightly. I love it!

Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

beautiful impressive photos with so much snow, a wonderful landscape and animals what gives you!
Greetings Elke

Animor said...

That's lots of snow, lucky you've got the powerful gas snowplow, love the photos of frosty snow ice on the gutter. It's good your grandchildren enjoyed building the snowman.

Here's mine
https://www.everydayasitcomes.com/2020/02/sundays-best.html

Jeanie said...

I'm no snow girl but I do like having four seasons, even with a bit of snow. Just not as long as it always seems to be. Our months till February were mild too, so I can't complain this time. And not long till spring. Your photos make it seem super dazzling -- all that blue sky (a rarity here!)

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I am glad that you like the snow. I may like it more when I am retired and don’t have to worry so much about going to work.
A snowblower is an excellent investment in areas like that. My Dad used his a lot up in Idaho and now my sister has it in Colorado Springs. We haven’t had much snow in Tulsa the last several years so I am out of snow shoveling experience.
We have the same concerns about which way your driveway faces here in Oklahoma. When we bought our house here one of our must haves was a south facing driveway and you are right it makes a huge difference. Of course it hasn’t snowed here in a while.

One thing snow does is make for great photos. I love yours.

Maria Rodrigues said...

Wonderful photos!

An Apel a Day said...

We haven't gotten that much! I live in Nebraska. I really like the snow covered mountains! Pretty!

https://www.anapeladay.com/2020/02/ww-tape-portrait-linky.html

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I can't fathom that much snow!

ellen b. said...

Everything does look nice covered in snow. You have really had your fair share for sure! Beautiful photos.

Pisi Prkl said...

I kinda envy you, I really miss the Snow. Next to none here in southern Finland this winter. :(

Fun60 said...

I'venever seen icicles that long.

Traveler In Me said...

36 inches of snow ...... wow! Beautiful snow photos. Stay warm and have a good week ahead

betty-NZ said...

It really is gorgeous and makes wonderful photos! I, too, remember having so much fun in the snow as a kid in the Chicago area. Fabulous shots :)

I'm so glad you are a part of 'My Corner of the World' this week!

My Corner of the World

Anonymous said...

Lovely snow photos! I’m one who does not like living where it snows, but I find snow pics so pretty. (Yeah, it’s weird.) I am glad you and yours are having such a great time with it!

Michelle
http://mybijoulifeonline.com

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Colorado is beautiful but I can't handle that much snow

Carolina G. Ticala said...

Estupenda información! Que pases una feliz noche! 🧡🧡🧡

Spare Parts and Pics said...

My granddaughter would love that snowman! Wow, it looks like you have a long driveway. Looks like you're getting excellent use out of the snow blower. Beautiful photos!!

Joyful said...

Beautiful snow shots. I think the snowblower was a terrific investment.

Michelle said...

We can't seem to get a bit of snow this year and I miss it. Although, yours seems like a lot! lol Thanks for linking up!

Amy Johnson said...

It's still snowy and cold here in Wisconsin too. My issue with snow/cold is that this season just seems to last longer than all the warmer ones. Is that a lynx I see in your photo? That's amazing!

Lowcarb team member said...

Wow!
It certainly makes for some stunning photographs …

All the best Jan

diane b said...

It sure is beautiful to look at but I wouldn't like the work and as for not going above freezing all day. I couldn't manage that. The four seasons are nice but I don't miss them after living in PNG for 7 years I got used to hot weather all the time. Now we have seasons but not severe except maybe summer temperatures can get high. I guess it's what we get used to.I love not having to add clothes when we go outside.
You have beautiful photos of beautiful scenes and wildlife. Colorado sounds a great state to live in . WE have friends who moved from NZ to live there.They love it too.

Anu said...

Hello. Wonderful photos. Those mountains and nature look so beautiful.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat,

I really enjoyed your critters. The bunnies are adorable, the sweet deer and bobcat is amazing. I like the pretty Jay too. I hope the snow is melting. Wonderful post and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week !

Lea said...

Beautiful snow scenes!

Ann said...

Snowy here too, and I'm ready for Spring! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ's!

StephanieSuzanne.Studio said...

Hi Pat, I'm visiting for Pink Saturday and I'm blogging again starting this week after many years. I used to never miss Pink Saturday. Your blog name seems familiar and I believe I used to visit you. At that time my blog name was Queen Of Dreamsz. You may remember me. I do understand about the eco systems when you move into the mountain areas. I moved to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, near Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. It can be sunshine and dry in Pigeon Forge and out here in the foothills it will be snowing. It still shocks people in town when I go in and say, wow, it's like another time zone here..LOL and tell them I have inches of snow at the house. Only about a 5 mile difference in location. And yes, the direction of your home means a lot. I never thought about it either until I lived in this home...very, very different. I love all the wildlife as you and the quiet away from the city. I do hope you will come over to visit me and chat for a moment! Have a great weekend, Stephanie

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wow! It really is beautiful Pat. And those bunnies popping up out of the snow banks are the cutest things ever! I am happy that you and your grandkids enjoy playing in it. (And I am purposely not saying anything about my winter preferences )))!

April J Harris said...

That is a lot of snow, Pat! It's absolutely gorgeous though, and wonderful you are well prepared for it. I really enjoyed your photographs. We haven't had snow in our part of the UK yet this year, but parts further north have definitely had some. Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party community. Have a wonderful week!

William Kendall said...

Wow!